Matthes, Rafters topple first-place Javs

Kent Matthes (Rockies) put on his best offensive performance of the fall against the AFL's best team, going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a home run, two runs scored and four RBIs as Salt River knocked off first-place Peoria, 8-4. Sean Ochinko (Blue Jays) added two RBIs for the Rafters while Andy Wilkins (White Sox) and Nationals top prospect Anthony Rendon drove in a run apiece. Mariners No. 3 prospect Nick Franklin gave Peoria an early lead on an RBI triple in the first. Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati's top prospect, was picked off by Salt River starter Tyler Chatwood (Rockies) in the first but responded with a solo homer in the seventh -- his first of the fall. Designated hitter Vinny Catricala (Mariners) finished with a team-high three RBIs for Peoria. Recap | Gameday box score

Mesa 8, Scottsdale 4

Aaron Westlake (Tigers) launched a two-run homer and scored twice and top Cubs prospect Javier Baez drove in a pair of runs as the Solar Sox avoided losing their 10th consecutive game, defeating Scottsdale, 8-4. Astros No. 1 prospect Jonathan Singleton went 2-for-5 with a double and a triple, scoring twice and driving in a run for Mesa, which earned its first victory since Oct. 13. Solar Sox starter Chris Gloor (Giants) allowed a run on four hits over five innnings, walking two and lowering his fall ERA to 2.65. Recap | Gameday box score

Surprise 6, Phoenix 1

Royals lefty Justin Marks picked up his third win of the fall, allowing a run on four hits and a walk over four innings in a 6-1 victory over Phoenix. Whit Merrifield (Royals) scored the game's first run on a wild pitch by Desert Dogs starter Jimmy Nelson (Brewers) in the first, and fellow Royals farmhand Brian Fletcher made it 3-0 with his first AFL homer an inning later. Cardinals No. 4 prospect Kolten Wong and Bryce Brentz, ranked fourth in the Red Sox's system, each drove in runs for the Saguaros on base hits in the fourth -- Brentz's single scoring both Wong and catcher Kellin Deglan (Rangers). Phoenix's lone run came on an RBI double by A's prospect Max Stassi in the top of the third. Recap | Gameday box score